hehehe, yeap, AB charges RM500+ for 1st service with them for a E46 318i....oil service it is called....replace engine oil, filter & the microfilter for the air-con.
My car is due for next service i.e. Inspection 1 at AB....heard it will cost RM800+. Will post details here later.
At AB, although it is expensive, it is better to service with them during the warranty period (even for another year after the warranty expiry) .... to claim for any defects. From what i read in the forum, AB guys are also much better with electronic problems than "outside" mechanics .... maybe better equipments to diagnose.
If you service outside off AB, those mechanics can still reset your OBC's next oil service readings. My experience with one "outside" mechanic is that though he is helpful & nice, but business is business. For e.g. he said for my next service, must change the radiator overflow tank because very prone to leakage. Whilst for AB, they wont change till it is broken (which you may run the risk of damaging other parts of radiator as well). Being business owners, these outside mechanics will scrutinise your car & be prepared for them to say this & that may need changing but it is really up to you whether you want to or not (but after they say such things & if you dont change that part, you may be left wondering whether you should have). If you change that part, at least you know your car is tip top condition at the expense of $$. AB's fellas probably go through their checklist only. So, there are pros and cons.
At AB, they quoted me RM900 to to knock back small dent at rear bumper & re-spray entire bumper ...whilst i did the same outside for RM280. These things you dont go to AB la.
BTW, i serviced outside once because i just purchased the 2-yr old car then & wanted it to be tip top before taking my family for holiday trip & AB didnt have a slot for me because they were too busy before Hari Raya last yr.
Why not you do like some of us .... go to AB for the scheduled services & in between the 25k mileage, say at 12.5k kms done, go to outside mechanics for an oil change only. After the 3years, I will still opt to go to AB for scheduled services but wear & tear items, i will just do it outside e.g. tyres of course, brake discs & pads. I had quite an episode with brake discs/pads & my advice is stick with original BMW brake discs & also pads!
